Let GOP put needs of our country first

It seems some manner of mass insanity has overcome the Republican Party, as following 40-some failed attempts to repeal Obamacare, they now believe taking hostages will do the trick.

If closing down “non-essential” government services doesn’t work, surely their threat to default on the full faith and credit of America’s debt will.

Why are these people so terrified of Obamacare? The legislation is a Republican brainchild designed to broaden health care delivery, spawned by the arch-conservative Heritage Foundation and first implemented by Republican Gov. Romney in Massachusetts.

While not at first enthusiastically embraced by the citizenry, today one would have to pry it out of their cold, dead hands, as it is now wildly popular and successful.

Why would Republicans imagine Obamacare has been an unmitigated disaster, when only a minuscule portion of it has been implemented? Their irrational fantasies bespeak some deep-seated issues. It appears their fanatical fears are based more on anticipation of the program’s success, rather than any looming calamity on the horizon. Methinks they must have Massachusetts on their mind.

If Obamacare is as pernicious as they perceive, what better opportunity for political gain?

Let the prophesied problems begin and, before you know it, Republicans will win the Senate and White House, making repeal a realistic possibility. Instead, they would rather wreak real damage and suffering and court catastrophic consequences, as they continue to tilt at windmills while pursuing the impossible dream; to repeal a constitutional law while controlling only one house of Congress.

Insidious, deceitful fantasies and falsehoods are not an argument against, just an effective propaganda device. Two recent polls reveal 8 and 9 percent more respondents prefer the Affordable Care Act to Obamacare. Pretty powerful propaganda.

Rather than playing to their base with such sinister strategies, Republicans need to put our country’s needs first.